Training tough

I just might be crazy, but I registered for Tough Mudder this year. My local event will be somewhere in the South West in late September time. Not familiar with Tough Mudder?

Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, 700,000 inspiring participants worldwide to date, and more than $5 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world.

These obstacles include an ice bath, electric shocks, walls to climb, miles to run, and of course – mud. Lots of mud.

I registered my interest last year by signing up for the newsletter and just a week or two ago I was sent my invitation to sign up properly. I did. I’ve also started strength training and have just finished my dumbbell moves and crunches for today. I have narrowed down the new shoes I’ll need to (size 5) Inov8 X-Talon 212 (my first choice) or the Inov8 Mudroc 290. Both are for fell and trail running and both are highly rated by folks who do these sorts of crazy “ultimate obstacle races.”I have put together a wish list if you want to help me gear up. Support is always welcome, and I’ve already received a set of gently used York dumbbells from a local friend. Shoes and socks are my most important gear for this, as I have much of what I need otherwise, and I need to begin trail training as soon as I can. (I’ll likely be chewing through a couple pairs of shoes between now and the event.)

Why am I doing it? A few reasons. I’m not in my desired shape, fitness-wise, and this will get me to the best shape of my life. I don’t have far to go (I’m already slim and strong) but I am looking to live a long and healthy life and want my body to be the best machine it can be. I’m also a survivor. I had cancer and beat it, and so I’d like to think there’s not much out there that can. Cocky? Perhaps, but I stared cancer in the face because I had to- Tough Mudder is a challenge I’m choosing on my terms and I will push myself to beat it too.
I also have a friend who has done Tough Mudder and he said it was awesome. His shins and knees were a mess after, but he did it, will never forget it, and can be proud of what he achieved. I want that too. I want the challenge. I want the fear. I want the exhaustion and exhilaration. I don’t want to be old and incapable, and so this seems like as good a kick in the ass as anything to push me to take my fitness more seriously for a quality life.